Good for you

The Pinellas Park Police Department has promoted two officers to the rank of sergeant.

Officer Daniel Levy, who will supervise a patrol officer squad, joined the department in 1986 after working for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. He became a patrol officer in 1994 and served as a crime prevention officer and a DARE officer. He has been an adviser for the police Explorer post and an interim records section supervisor. Most recently, he served as a planning and research officer.

Prior honors include an employee of the quarter award and the city manager's superior municipal service employee of the month award. He was nominated for an officer of the year award for 1999.

Levy is scheduled to receive a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University in December.

Officer Gene LaPouttre joined the Pinellas Park Police Department in 1985 after 10 years with the Bay City Police Department in Michigan. He served as a school resource officer for Pinellas Park High School for eight years. As a member of the Pinellas County School Crisis Planning Committee, he coordinated the patrol crime watch and peer mediation programs.

Besides working in patrol operations, LaPouttre served as crime prevention coordinator for the department.

Prior honors include the city manager's superior municipal employee of the month award and a school resource officer appreciation award. LaPouttre received a master police officer designation and was recognized for his work in combating the sale of alcohol to minors. He holds a master's degree in public administration and is working toward a doctorate in criminal justice through Monticello University.

Prudential honors tutoring and counseling volunteer

Kathryn M. Reesemiller of South Pasadena received a $250 Prudential Community Champions Rising Star award from the Prudential Insurance Co. of America. Reesemiller, who retired in 1984 from Prudential in Allentown, Pa., was recognized for volunteer commitment, leadership and service to the counseling and tutoring clinic at Pass-a-Grille Community Church.

The award is one of many she has received from Prudential in 10 years as a clinic volunteer. The company previously honored her with two $5,000 grants and three $2,000 grants, which she used to purchase educational tools and supplies for the clinic.

Reesemiller serves as head language arts tutor and treasurer for the program.